of national income during the last government, and during the boom years, for instance, in the west midlands there were no net new private sector jobs. he's dealing with the big issues. what a pity that all he can do is stand up and try and read out a quote. >> ed milliband. >> mr. speaker, he says the report is on the right track, goodness knows what he would have said if it was on the wrong track. business has no confidence in him, and deregulation -- his chosen approach -- is not the answer. now, let me turn to a specific area of the report, recommendation 61 which i'm sure he's familiar with. [laughter] he says, and i quote: the government needs to set out a definitive and unambiguous energy policy. [laughter] this is, obviously, mr. speaker, an appropriate day to be considering this recommendation on energy after the last 20 -- it's good to see the business secretary down the bench, by the way. i'm sorry that growth committee that he's on is so unmemorable that he can't remember it. this is an appropriate day to be considering this recommendation. so his energy -- i'm rather enjoying th